Hello. I'm a bit of a lover of the camping. I wish I could camp all spring/summer/fall long, but there are bills to pay and society to try to contribute to. As a result of these time limitations, I've decided to start a blog for those who love camping about the same way that I do, somewhere right in the middle of the camping spectrum (not too soft, not too hard, but just right...), and for folks who don't have time to go to parks that will likely disappoint them.
Disclaimer: these are completely subjective reviews, based on my own preferences regarding what makes an excellent camping experience. When reading the reviews here, keep in mind the following: I feel a great camping experience is one that affords seclusion and natural beauty. Most importantly, sites need to be spaced apart so that neighbours aren't party to each others conversations by proximity alone, and without invitation. So if you're on the side of the camping spectrum where you look for a campground with more of a festive, amusement park atmosphere (with wifi, vending machines, cafeterias, waterslides and irrigation systems), and feel fellow campers should be at liberty to whoop it up, then my reviews won't make much sense to you.
Additionally, I tend to prefer linear backcountry base camping, more so than canoe tripping loops. I understand many will not view this as true canoe camping, but I camp to relax and enjoy the natural surroundings. I stick to schedules, tasks and goals during the work week, but my only goal when I'm on vacationing in the woods is enjoying the peaceful splendor of nature. As well, I don't aim to cover as much distance as possible, and see as many lakes as I can, during the limited amount of time I have in the backcountry. That's probably where I differ most from those on the other end of the camping spectrum. I enjoy physical challenges, especially when hiking, but that's not why I canoe-camp.
Finally, I generally hate car camping (sites are too dense, yahoos are always blasting the latest country top 40 hits, site quality generally isn't good, feels like you're in a field in the suburbs, etc). Some people may like a party atmosphere when they car camp, but not me. Any campground that isn't at least radio-free will probably end up on the lower end of my rankings. But I'm in search of a great car camping park, with private sites and some remnant natural beauty. If I find something matching that description, I'll be sure to share it (and I have indeed found a few).
Additionally, I tend to prefer linear backcountry base camping, more so than canoe tripping loops. I understand many will not view this as true canoe camping, but I camp to relax and enjoy the natural surroundings. I stick to schedules, tasks and goals during the work week, but my only goal when I'm on vacationing in the woods is enjoying the peaceful splendor of nature. As well, I don't aim to cover as much distance as possible, and see as many lakes as I can, during the limited amount of time I have in the backcountry. That's probably where I differ most from those on the other end of the camping spectrum. I enjoy physical challenges, especially when hiking, but that's not why I canoe-camp.
Finally, I generally hate car camping (sites are too dense, yahoos are always blasting the latest country top 40 hits, site quality generally isn't good, feels like you're in a field in the suburbs, etc). Some people may like a party atmosphere when they car camp, but not me. Any campground that isn't at least radio-free will probably end up on the lower end of my rankings. But I'm in search of a great car camping park, with private sites and some remnant natural beauty. If I find something matching that description, I'll be sure to share it (and I have indeed found a few).
It's important to note that my notion of what makes a good camping experience comes from a Southern Ontario perspective, coloured by my search for serenity in the great outdoors. I think that my view may be in line with many out there, but if you're coming from a place where camping entails sleeping in a farmer's field and the quality of a campsite is measured by the absence of cowpats, then I think most Ontario car campsites will seem like pristine natural landscapes to you. You may even be on the other end of the scale, where you view marked portages and cleared campsites as luxuries for the weak. I would place my views slightly to the more rugged side of that scale, but I do enjoy well-maintained portages and spacious campsites.
So I'm going to treat this blog as a trip journal and try to share some of my camping successes and failures so it can be a resource for the moderate camping community on how to enjoy nature without breaking their backs but still enjoy their time immersed in the natural world.
Note: All ad revenue generated from this site will be donated to the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, so please visit the sites on the sidebar! (The first donation was reached after 7 years of blogging; that's great but please help me reach the next donation much sooner).
Note: All ad revenue generated from this site will be donated to the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, so please visit the sites on the sidebar! (The first donation was reached after 7 years of blogging; that's great but please help me reach the next donation much sooner).